Invasive species
What is an invasive species?
Any plant or animal that has been introduced or spread to an ecosystem where it could cause harm to the health of an environment, animals, or plants
What color is the Round Goby?
Brown
True or False: Invasive species can spread quickly and take over their new environment.
True
How are invasive species spread?
Humans! (Ex. Ballast Water, Crates, Released pets, fishing bait, canals)
Name one of the invasive species we talked about today.
Zebra Mussels, Round Goby, Sea Lamprey, Japanese Knotweed
Where is Japanese Knotweed native to?
East Asia
This term describes when an invasive species takes resources from native species, often causing their decline
Competition
When choosing between Swamp Milkweed or Japanese Knotweed which should you plant in your backyard?
Swamp Milkweed
Name a 2 characteristics of Invasive species.
2. Fast-growing and reproducing species
3. Lack of natural predators in the environment that will slow their spread
4. Lack of defense systems in the native host species
How did Round Goby's get into the Great Lakes?
Ballast waters from Europe
How could invasive species impact a food web?
They can change the composition and abundance of species in the food web.
What should you do if you see an invasive species in the wild?
Report it to the USDA's animal and plant health inspection service or your state's department of natural resources
What invasive species is this?
Round Goby
Name one native fish most affected by Sea Lamprey's
2. Whitefish
3. Perch
4. Sturgeon
How do invasive species impact native species?
1. Competition
2. Changes in the food web
3. Decreased diversity of species
4. Loss of resources
Clean and inspect your equipment before leaving OR do not release your bait into the water
Invasive species often have no natural ones of these to keep their population under control.
Why are Zebra Mussels harmful for power generation and water treatment facilities?
They block intake pipes
Name 2 examples of how invasive species can alter a habitat
2. Soil composition
3. Disruption of ecological processes
4. Physically
What could you do in your local community to stop the spread
Volunteer at local parks or nature centers